The deal gives Sports Direct and its owner, Mike Ashley, a route into the US market (Source: Getty)

Jasper Jolly

Sports Direct has received approval to buy up bankrupt US clothing retailer Eastern Outfitters.

The deal was worth $101m (£78.7m), adding the Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports brands to the empire of the British retailer's owner Mike Ashley and giving it a way into the US bricks and mortar retail market.

Sports Direct now owns Eastern Outfitters' 50 retail shops in the US. They are mostly focused on sporting clothing as well as outdoor and camping gear.